Colostomy irrigator



Dec. 3, 1940. M. N. KOCH 2,223,565

COLOSTOMY IRRIGATOR Filed Aug. 12, 1939 75 Sheets-Sheet 1 w 22% ylgvzvenzor Dec. 3, 1940.

M. N. KOCH GOLOSTOMY IRRIGATOR Filed Aug. 12, 1959 .2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vFT Z orneW Patented Dec. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE 13 Claims.

evacuation through a colostomy a simple and satisfactory procedure, all leakage of fecal fluid being prevented and the colonic contents being conveyed to the water closet unseen by the user.

18' Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus which is so valved that the irrigating fluid can be retained in the colon for any desired period of time, this avoiding the necessity of repeated irrigations.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus which will operate satisfactorily under all conditions and, in particular, in which provision is made for breaking up any unusually large fecal masses in the cup thereby to avoid any danger of stoppage of the flexible outflow tube.

Another object is to provide such apparatus which can be readily flushed before being removed from the body of the user thereby to render the apparatus sanitary and odorless both in use and in removal.

Another object is to provide such apparatus which is readily kept in a clean and sanitary condition, is convenient to apply, use and remove and can be produced at low cost.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a colostomy irrigator embodying my invention and showing the manner in which the inflow catheter is inserted and the manner in which a connection is made with a water faucet for thepurpose of flushing the apparatus before removal from the body of the user.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section through the cup applied to the body of the user and showing the inflow catheter inserted and the position of the parts during irrigation.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the position of the parts during the discharge of the fecal fluid and during the operation of flushing the apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4, Fig. 3.

The irrigator comprises a relatively deep cup 5 which is provided with an outwardly flanged relatively wide rim 6, this rim fitting against the body of the user. In order to provide an airtight seal with the abdominal wall, a belt I is provided, this belt attaching to an external rim or flange 8 around the center of the cup 5. The belt can be made of elastic material, two extensions 8 being 5 secured to each end of the belt and each extension carrying a hook in arranged to enter openings ll provided in the rim or flange 8 of the cup. It will be seen that when applied, the belt 1 securely holds the rim of the cup 5 against the 10 body of the user.

The front wall i2 of the cup is formed to provide a forwardly projecting boss l3, this boss extending vertically along the centerline of the front wall 12 and being provided with a vertical 15 bore l4 leading from its upper end to a point short of the bottom of the boss. This bore receives a cylindrical valve stem l5 which is closely fitted in the bore l4 but is free to be raised by a knob 16 at its upper end and is also free to fall so by gravity to the bottom of the bore [4 as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The front wall I2 of the cup is provided with a central port 20 leading from the bore H to the interior of the cup and the boss I3 is provided 25 with an external port 2| leading to the bore l4 thereof and in line with the port 20. The ports 20 and 2! are of such size as to receive an inflow catheter 22, the valve I5 being raised to permit the insertion of the catheter 22 through the ports 2| and 20 into the colon. The irrigating fluid may be supplied to the catheter from a douche bag 23 suspended at a suitable height, the outlet from the bag being connected to the external end of the catheter by a flexible tube 24 35 and this tube being provided with the usual valve 25 for controlling the flow of irrigating fluid into the catheter.

The contents of the cup 5 are discharged through a metal outflow tube 30 provided cen- 4o trally in the bottom wall of the cup forwardly of its external flange 8. This outflow tube is provided with an accurate bore 3| and discharges into a soft rubber tube 32 which conveys the fecal matter to a suitable receptacle or to a water closet 45 bowl. The outflow from the cup is controlled by a valve comprising an inverted cup-shaped head 33 which is arranged to enter and snugly flt the bore 3| of the metal outflow tube 30 and the lower edge of this head being externally beveled, 50 as indicated at 34, to insure its free entry into the bore 3| from the interior of the cup 5. The inverted cup-shaped head 33 is suspended from a rod 35 which passes upwardly through a guide boss and stufllng box 36 provided in the upper II wall of the cup I and at its upper end is provided with a knob 31. It will readily be seen that by this knob 31, the valve head can be moved up and down to open and close the outflow from the cup I and also to break up any large fecal masses retained within the cup. The valve head 33 is retained at any elevation by the pressure ofthe packing in the stufling box 33 around its stem 35, the valve thereby requiring intentional manipulation for its operation.

After the irrigation has been effected, it is highly desirable to flush the cup and its outflow tightly receive the tapered end of a fitting 42 secured to the end of a flexible water tube 43. The other end of this tube is secured to a cupshaped rubber fltting 44 which is readily fltted to the discharge of a domestic water faucet 45. Upon raising the valve head 33 and turning the faucet I on, it'will be seen that the cup 5 and its outflow line are rapidly and thoroughly flushed.

In operation, the belt 'I is passed around the back of the'user and the cup placed against the drawn it serves to hold the valve stem]! in an 1 abdomen," the hooks in of the beltbeing caught in the openings H of the centralflange or rim 8 of the cup. The tension of the belt is sufllcient to provide an air tight seal between the relatively' wide flange 3 of the cup I and the abdominal wall. The user then raises the valve stem I! by means of the knob l6 and passes the inflow catheter 22 through the registering ports 2| and 20 and into the colon. Until the inflow catheter is withelevated position.

If it is desired to retain the irrigating fluid in i the colon for a length of time, the user can close the outflow valve by pressing down on the knob 31 and thereby moving the inverted cupshaped valve head 33 into the accurately fitting bore 3| of-the metal outflow tube, this preventing the escape of fluid from the cup 5. The

, user then opens the valve in the tube 24 leading from the elevated douche bag 23 to the inflow catheter 22, the irrigating liquid in this bag thereby flowing through the catheter and into the colon. After the required amount of irrigating liquid has. been so introduced, the

valve 35 is closed and'the user withdraws the inflow catheter through the ports 20 and 2|.

' Since the valve stem l5 drops by gravity, the

withdrawal of the catheter is immediately followed by the dropping of the valve stem I5 to the bottom of its bore l4 thereby immediately cutting oil. the escape of liquid through the ports 20 and 2|. The. catheter can thereby be 1 directly withdrawn without-escape of liquid from i the cup 5.

When the discharge of the fecal liquid is required, the operator lifts the knob 31 thereby raising thewvalve head 33 from the bore of the 1 metal outlet tube 30' into the cup 5. This permits a flow from thecup 5 through the metal outflow tube 30 and rubber outflow tube 32 into the valve head 33 up and down.

After the irrigation has been completed, thea receptacle or water closet bowl; If large fecal masses are retained in the cup 5, these can be reduced to pass through the outflow by moving user tin-us on the water faucet 45 this water under relatively high pressure flowing through the tube 43 and nipple into the cup 8 and thence past the open valve 33 through the outflow .tube, thereby to thoroush y flush these parts and render the removal of the apparatus sanitary and odorless.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides an irrigator which makes fecal evacuation through a colostomy a simple and satisfactory procedure, the irrigation being readily effected without danger of the leakage of fecal fluid or odor and the discharge to the receptacle being unseen. It will further be seen that adequate provision is made when large fecal masses are encountered and that the apparatus can be quickly and thoroughly flushed so as to render its removal sanitary and odor-- wall opposite its rim with a port adapted slidingly to receive an inflow catheter for insertion into said colostomy and an outflow tube leading from said cup, a vertical valve stem carried by said wall and dropping by gravity to a position closing said port, said valve stem being raised to permit the insertion of said. catheter into said port and being supported in an elevated position by said inserted catheter whereby the withdrawal of said catheter permits said valve stem to drop to a position closing said port.

2. A colostomy irrigator, comprising a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body of the user and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rim with a port adapted to receive an inflow catheter, a rigid outflow tube extending outwardly from said cup and provided with a bore leading to theinterior of the cup, a valve head fitted in said bore and withdrawable to a position within said cup, means for manually moving said valve head from its position within said bore to its position within said cup and vice versa and a flexible outflow tube connected with said rigid outflow tube.

3. A colostomy irrigator, comprising a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body of the user and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rim with a port adapted to receive an inflow catheter, a rigid outflow tube extending outwardly from said cup and provided with a bore leading to the interior of the cup, a valve head fitted in said bore and withdrawable to a position within said cup, a valve stem connected with said valve head and extending through a slideway provided in the wall of said cup opposite said rigid outflow tube to permit manual movement of said valve head to open and closed positions and a flexible outflow tube connected with said rigid outflow tube.

4. A colostomy irrigator, comprising a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body of the user and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rim/with a port adapted to receive an inflow catheter, a rigid outflow tube extending outwardly .from said cup and provided with a bore leading to the interior of the cup, avalve head fitted in said bore and withdrawable to a position within said cup, a valve stem connected with said valve head and extending through a slideway provided in the wall of said cup opposite said rigid outflow tube to permit manual movement of said valve head to open and closed positions, a stufling box provided at said slide- 2,223,:see

way and having a packing. exerting suflicient pressure to hold said valve stem in any set position and a flexible outflow tube connected with said rigid outflow tube.

5. A colostomy irrigator, comprising a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body of the user and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rim with a port adapted to receive an inflow catheter, a rigid outflow tube extending outwardly from said cup and provided with a bore leading to the interior of the cup, a valvehead of cup-shaped form fitted in said bore and withdrawable to a position within said cup, the rim of said cup-shaped valve head in said last position opposing said bore and being relatively thin, means for manually withdrawing said valve head from its position within said bore to its position within said cup and vice versa and a flexible outflow tube connected with said rigid outflow tube.

6. A colostomy irrigator, comprising a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body of the user and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rim with a port adapted to receive an inflow catheter, a vertical valve stem carried by said wall and dropping by gravity to a position closing said port, said valve stem being raised to permit the insertion of said catheter into said port and being supported in an elevated position by said inserted catheter whereby'the withdrawal of said catheter permits said valve stem to drop to a position closing said port, a rigid outflow tube extending outwardly from said cup and provided with a bore leading to the interior of the cup, a valve head fitted in said bore and withdrawable to a position within said cup, means for manually moving said valve head from its position within said bore to its position within said cup and vice versa and a flexible outflow tube connected with said rigid outflow tube.

7. A colostomy irrigator, comprising a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body of the user and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rim with a vertical bore open at its upper end, said wall also being' provided with a port leading from the interior of said cup to said bore and with a second port registering with said first port and leading from said bore to the exterior of said wall and said ports being adapted to receive an inflow catheter, a valve stem in said bore and being supported in an elevated position by \said inserted catheter -whereby the withdrawal of said catheter permits said valve stem to drop to a position closin both of said ports, a rigid outflow tube extending outwardly from said cup and provided with a bore leading to the interior of the cup, a valve head fitted in said bore and withdrawable to a position within said cup, a valve stem connected with said valve head and extending through a slideway provided in the wall of said cup opposite said rigid outflow tube to permit manual movement of said valve head to open 5 and closed positions and a flexible outflow tube raised to permit the insertion of said catheter into said port and being supported in an elevated position by said catheter whereby the withdrawal of said catheter permits said valve stem to drop to a position closing said port, an outflow tube leading from said cup and a nipple provided in a wall of said cup and leading to the interior thereof, said nipple being adapted to be connected to a water pressure line for flushing said cup and outflow tube before being removed by the user.

9. A colostomy irrigator, comprising a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body of the user and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rim with a port adapted to receive an inflow catheter, a rigid outflow tube extending outwardly from said cup and provided with a bore leading to the interior of the cm), a valve head fitted in said bore and withdrawable to a position within said cup, means for manually moving said valve head from its position within said bore to its position within said cup and vice versa, a flexible outflow tube connected with said rigid outflow tube and a nipple provided in a wall of said cup and leading to the interior thereof, said nipple being adapted to be connected to a water pressure line for flushing said cup and outflow tube before being removed by the user.

10. A colostomy irrigator, comprising a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body of the user and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rim with a port adapted slidingly to receive an inflow catheter for insertion into said colostomy, valve means normally closing said port, comprising a vertical valve stem carried by said wall and dropping by gravity to a position closing said port, said valve stem being raised to permit the insertion of said catheter into said port and being supported in an elevated position by said catheter whereby the withdrawal of said catheter permits said valve stem to drop to a position closing said port, an outflow tube leading from said cup, manually operable valve means in said outflow tube and a nipple provided in a wall of said cup and leading to the interior thereof, said nipple being adapted to be connected to a water pressure line for flushing said cup and outflow tube before being removed by the user.

11. A colostomy irrigator, comprising a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body of the user and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rim with a vertical bore open at its upper end, said wall also being provided with a port leading from the interior of said cup to said bore and with a second port registering with said first port and leading from said bore to the exterior of said wall and said ports being adapted to receive an inflow catheter, a valve stem in said bore and being supported in an elevated position by said inserted catheter whereby the withdrawal of said catheter permits said valve stem to drop to a position closing both of said ports, a rigid outflow tube extending outwardly from said cup and provided with a bore leading to the interior of the cup, a valve head fitted in said bore and withdrawable to a position within said cup, a valve stem connected with said valve head and extending through a slideway provided in the wall of said cup opposite said rigid outflow tube to permit manual movement of said valve head to open and closed positions, a flexible outflow tube connected with said rigid outflow tube and a nipple provided in a wall of said cup and leading to the interior thereof, said nipple being adapted to be connected to a water pressure line for flushing said cup and outflow tube before being removed by the user.

12. In a colostomy irrigator including a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body 0! the user and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rim with a port adapted slidingly to receive an inflow catheter for insertion into said colostomy and an outflow tube leading from said cup, valve means normally closing said port and supported in an open position by said inserted catheter whereby the withdrawal of said catheter closes said valve means, comprising means provid- 13. In a colostomy irrigator including a cup having a rim adapted to be applied to the body,

01' the user'and said cup being provided in its wall opposite its rimwith a port adapted slidingly to receive, an inflow catheter for insertion into said colostomy and an outflow tube leading from said cup, valve means normally closing said port and supported in an open position by said inserted catheter whereby the withdrawal of said catheter closes said valve means, comprising an external boss provided centrally on said wall of said cup, said boss being provided with a vertical bore open at its top and closed at its bottom, said boss also being provided with a port registering with said first port and leading from said bore to the exterior of said boss andsaid first port leading from the interior of said cup to said bore, said ports being adapted to snugly and 'slidingly receive said catheter, and a freely movable valve stem in' said bore and provided with a knob at its upper end, said valve stem being supported in an elevated position by said inserted catheter whereby the withdrawal of said catheter permits said valve stem to drop to a position closing both of said ports.

MAX N. KOCH. 

